h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

OK, i've done that (a day late, but who cares? ). Any other comments, or is someone going to pick it?

Tango

I don't know if you'd consider this relevant or not, but there is some research showing that men and women tend to give very different types of driving directions, with one gender relying much more on street names and cardinal directions, and the other relying more on landmarks and whatnot. I forget which gender is which, though -- if you're interested, I could probably find it somewhere -- I remember learning about it in neurology.


Mikey

Yes, i think i heard that somewhere too. I'm not sure about including it, i'll think about it. Anyone else got an opinion?

Tango

Check post 17!

Or better still, I'll quote it for you:
'Also, I've found that women tend to navigate more by landmarks (turn at the red house) and men tend to navigate more by distances (turn after 3 miles). But as with all generalizations, there's bound to be exceptions...'


- Jimi X

I remember in my developmental neurology class, this was one of the tests they talked about using in research to determine if your brain was more "masculine" or "feminine".

And of course, us women seem to be the only folks who need to turn the map around so that it faces the direction we're heading. When I'm looking at a fixed map (like those kiosk ones they have at malls), I always find myself turning my head to try to orient myself to the map.


Mikey

I had a feeling i'd heard it in relation to this entry, i just couldn't be bothered to read the backlog.

Tango

You coughing at anyone in particular? I'm waiting for someone to either pick this, or give a suggestion for how to improve it.

Tango

I think there's a 'given' missing in the second paragraph of 'Oral Directions'?

I also think there's a certain amount of mileage to be gained from the fact that anyone you stop and ask for directions automatically assumes they're inherently superior to you because you're not from round there and (largely *because* of being not from round there - which is all your fault anyway, of course) - you're lost. The classic example being the comedy yokel character often seen on TV who answers, usually in a West Country accent, "Well, if I was going *there*, I wouldn't be starting from *'ere*..."

(Those stars would be tags, but I'm too inept to know how to do those in a post to a converation )

I'll take a look and see if i need to add a "given". What would you like me to add about superiority? There is no way to use HTML (or GuideML) in posts. *'s are the best way to show it.

*bold*
/italic/
_underline_
OR JUST TYPE IN CAPITALS

are the usual ways to show things in plain text.

Tango

Ah yes, fixed.

Tango

Ta.

About the superiority thing... well, being me, I'd suggest a mildly edited version of what I'd written!

Can i have a 2nd opinion on that please?

Tango

I think it's an excellent idea!

Having re-read your entry, what I said about superiority isn't that different to what you say about the directions-giver assuming themselves to be the ultimate authority.

I'd wait for a genuine second opinion, if I were you!

A Scout has recommended this for the Edited Guide, but I'd like to just make sure you're happy for this to go ahead.

Any comments either way, let us know here.

Jimster

I would have liked to see the bit about gender differences in directions which Mikey confirmed from her coursework.

Maybe the sub will be able to take what's here in thread and add it in?

Mikey

Ok, how about i add a little bit about genders now and then jimster can click his little accept button?

Tango

Hows that?

Tango